6 December 2019 – The Women in Football Leadership Programme which is a joint initiative by FIFA, UEFA and the IMD Business School was held at FIFA House in Zurich from 18 to 22 November 2019.
The aim of the programme is to help empower women to assume leadership positions in various football associations all over the world. This will in turn increase the number of women in decision making bodies. There were a total of 24 participants, with three from CAF/Africa (South African Football Association, Botswana FA and Kenya Football Federation) in attendance.
This was a platform to share experiences, learn some leadership skills and also build network (lifelong connections) with other women in the various FAs who are just as passionate about the game.
The programme was intense, physically and emotionally as we started early and finished late covering various topics such as self‑awareness, personal leadership styles and the hurdles that have to be overcome in order to become a female leader in a male-dominated business. There were coaches assigned to us who helped coach us throughout the week in smaller groups where we were allowed to be vulnerable and share our personal journeys/stories openly.
It was an amazing and certainly a life changing experience for me. I’ve never attended a programme as engaging as this one. I am more determined than ever to help empower other women inspiring to occupy leadership roles in football.
By Lydia Monyepao